Jim Adduci, who was batting .172 entering the finale against the Marlins, and Mike Carp, who was 4-for-28 with the Rangers, were both out of the lineup. Instead, Alex Rios was in right field despite dealing with multiple nagging injuries, and J.P. Arencibia started at first base. Arencibia and Carp have been platooning at first base.

But Carp, who was claimed on trade waivers from the Red Sox on Aug. 3, is still trying to find his swing since leaving his limited role in Boston.

"I feel good," Carp said. "I'm putting some good at-bats together and some not-so-good at-bats. But I need to put together a string of good at-bats. I'd like to have better aim, but one week can change everything."

Adduci is 0-for-22 since his first Major League home run on Aug. 9 at Houston, and he is batting .122 in 27 games since coming off the disabled list on July 21. The Rangers want to take a good look at him because of his speed and athleticism, but he hasn't started to hit yet.

"He is struggling right now," manager Ron Washington said. "He's getting pitches to hit and he's not hitting them. We have been facing some tough pitching, and when you don't have your act together, they can make you look pretty bad. He doesn't have it all together.

"I'm just going to run him out there, because the opportunity is there. He's got to take advantage of it."